Orange GOP panel to meet today
ORANGE — Orange Republican Town Committee will meet this evening at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Fisk-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Road.
The meeting will be open to public participation.
Franklin County Sheriff Christopher Donelan and Franklin County Register of Probate John F. Merrigan — both former state representatives — announced support for Adam Hinds, one of three Democratic candidates for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden state Senate district this week.
“Adam Hinds’ plan to tackle the region’s heroin epidemic is comprehensive and demonstrates his experience working on this critical issue,” Donelan said. “He is the only candidate with the real experience to represent our region against this crisis.”
Merrigan said “Adam Hinds’ demonstrated experience bringing people together to achieve results has made positive change in communities facing significant challenges. … I know what it takes to represent our region on Beacon Hill and we are fortunate to have a strong, dedicated person who is ready to be effective on day one.”
Hinds said he was honored to receive the endorsement of the two former state representatives, both of whom have worked on dealing with the opioid crisis in Franklin County.
Hinds faces two opponents in the Sept. 8 Democratic primary: Lenox attorney Rinaldo Del Gallo and Richmond attorney Andrea Harrington. The district includes nine western Franklin County towns.
DA Sullivan cheers Morneau for council
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan has endorsed the candidacy of Jeff Morneau, one of two Democrats running for Eighth District Governor’s Councillor in the Sept. 8 primary.
“As a progressive Democrat, Jeff Morneau is precisely the person we need as our next Governor’s Councillor. No one will fight harder for equal justice, pay equity for all workers, women’s rights, and diversity on the bench,” he said.
Sullivan also cited Morneau’s strong stance in favor of drug courts and other efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
“Jeff Morneau’s insight into treating substance abuse addiction as a disease and his strong leadership on the opioid crisis makes me proud to stand with him.”
Former Springfield Mayor Mary Hurley is also vying with Morneau for the two-year Council post.
Adam Hinds, a candidate for state Senate, has won the endorsement of Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan.
Sullivan said Hinds, one of three Berkshire County Democrats seeking the Berkshire-Hampshire Franklin Hampshire Hampden post, “has the knowledge and experience to confront the opiate epidemic in western Massachusetts. He supports smart strategies to effectively treat addiction and also confront crime. He will build safer and healthier communities by bringing people together.”
Calling Hinds “a strong, progressive voice on critical issues (who) will get things done,” Sullivan said the candidate “has the ability and vision to continue (incumbent Sen. Benjamin Downing’s) fight for economic justice, job creation, and quality public education.”